Liverpool head back to Old Trafford just three weeks after suffering a 4-3 defeat to Manchester United after extra-time in a chaotic FA Cup quarter-final clash
It surely can’t be as eventful as their meeting three weeks ago was, but when Manchester United and Liverpool face off on Sunday the world will be watching again.
With the Reds needing the points in the title race and United seeking both inspiration from their FA Cup victory and to pick themselves up off the floor following their dramatic collapse at Chelsea, it promises to be quite the occasion.
The clash will be Jurgen Klopp’s final visit to Old Trafford as Liverpool manager, while a heavy defeat could also spell the end for Erik ten Hag at United. So how will the game go? We asked our Mirror Football team.
The FA Cup tie was utter chaos. But that is what United seem to rely on. That time around, they got away with it, I don’t see lightning striking twice though.
Yes, the atmosphere will be spiky. Yes, United have a decent recent record against Liverpool, but one of these teams is very good… and one isn’t. Ten Hag was supposed to bring stability, but his team is anything but – and I expect Liverpool to manage this game significantly more professionally than they did last month.
That defeat at Chelsea in midweek felt a seminal one for Ten Hag. Another heavy loss here and the writing will be on the wall. I expect that writing to be on the wall by Sunday evening. Prediction: Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool
Josh O’Brien
Fresh off the back of Thursday night’s late heartbreak at Stamford Bridge, I expect even more Manchester United misery on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool simply have too much quality for Erik ten Hag’s misfiring side to deal with. United did well to restrict Jurgen Klopp’s men to a 0-0 draw at Anfield back in December, but a number of defeats already at Old Trafford this term suggest home advantage won’t mean much in this contest.
Mohamed Salah always likes a goal against United and with the title race as close as it is, Liverpool know anything less than a victory could prove costly. I think the Reds return to Merseyside with all three points after a win at the home of their fierce rivals. Prediction: Man Utd 1-3 Liverpool
Old Trafford has offered Man Utd some brief respite from the reality of Liverpool’s dominance over them. A dramatic FA Cup win and a Premier League victory last term will not wash away the memories of a 5-0 defeat in 2021 however.
Despite Erik Ten Hag’s side earning a win less than a month ago against the Reds, it’s difficult not to think the Theatre of Dreams could once again become home to a nightmare.
United have conceded 200 shots in 2024 and have a negative goal difference for 2023-24, and with the talent at Liverpool’s disposal, it’s difficult to expect anything but them scoring a hatful.
The likes of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have racked up 70 goals in the division this term, and while they were nullified by United before Christmas at Anfield, they will be desperate to maintain their spot at the top of the table.
Liverpool have a decent defensive record but have struggled to find clean sheets of late and could face some difficult moments from United’s forwards but it won’t be enough for the hosts. Prediction: Man Utd 1-4 Liverpool
Alan Smith
United will hope last month’s FA Cup win can be a factor this afternoon but if anything it may fuel Liverpool towards a revenge mission. Factor in the dismal collapse away to Chelsea on Thursday night on top of a brutal long list of defensive injuries and it is hard to imagine Erik ten Hag celebrating again.
Liverpool, on the other hand, coasted at home to Sheffield United. Jurgen Klopp knows there is barely any margin for error in a title race for the ages, his list of absentees is marginally better than the Cup defeat.
All evidence points towards an away win – and no one will be overly surprised if the scoreline is brutally one-sided. Prediction: Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool
Tom Victor
Manchester United’s frailty at the back against Chelsea wasn’t restricted to the final moments, but you have to imagine Liverpool’s front-line would have been licking their lips when watching Erik ten Hag’s side collapse.
The chaos which allowed United to come from behind at Stamford Bridge also proved their undoing, but you can only benefit from those situations when your opponents have the same lack of control. That won’t be an issue for Jurgen Klopp’s men, and it’s hard to see anything other than an away win.
While Kobbie Mainoo has been important for United this term, the season has also shown the downside of a teenager being your most reliable central midfielder. Against a controlled midfield with more-than-capable forwards in front of them, you really fear for the hosts.
